August 17, 2025 – The Premier League returns as Chelsea begin their 2025/26 campaign with a home clash against Crystal Palace at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
The Blues enter the season buoyed by their recent FIFA Club World Cup triumph, which has raised expectations for another strong domestic run.
Under new manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea enjoyed an encouraging pre-season, notching wins over AC Milan and Bayer Leverkusen. However, the squad faces early setbacks. Defender Levi Colwill is sidelined with a long-term ACL injury, Benoît Badiashile is recovering from a leg issue, and Romeo Lavia is dealing with a muscular problem. To compound matters, Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk will miss the opener through suspension, leaving the attack stretched.
Crystal Palace, guided by Oliver Glasner, arrive in confident mood. After defeating Liverpool in the Community Shield and winning the FA Cup last season, they see themselves as contenders rather than underdogs. While doubts linger over the fitness of Daichi Kamada, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure, Eddie Nketiah, and Matheus Franca, key men Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze are expected to feature despite ongoing transfer rumors.
Historically, Chelsea have had the upper hand in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their last 15 Premier League encounters with Palace, recording 13 victories and two draws. The Eagles’ last league success at Stamford Bridge came back in April 2017, underscoring the scale of the challenge ahead.
A tight contest is expected, with Palace’s attacking flair capable of unsettling a depleted Chelsea defense. Nonetheless, the Blues’ home advantage and depth in midfield suggest they could still edge the result, with a 2-1 scoreline appearing a realistic outcome.
Where to Watch:
• United Kingdom: Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Main Event (1:00 PM BST), with streaming on Sky Go and NOW TV.
• United States: USA Network, with live streams on Fubo and Peacock (9:00 AM EDT).
• India: Star Sports Network, with streaming on JioHotstar (6:30 PM IST).
• Australia: Stan Sport (11:00 PM AEST).
Chelsea’s official website and app will also provide live commentary, updates, and replays for fans worldwide.